Study suggests our sun could unleash a long-overdue catastrophic superflare this century

Dec 16, 2024

Our sun may unleash a catastrophic superflare, potentially every century.

Study suggests our sun could unleash a long-overdue catastrophic superflare this century

: New research suggests that our sun could produce catastrophic superflares more frequently than previously thought, potentially once per century. Superflares, about 10,000 times stronger than regular flares, could devastate modern technologies. The study, by the Max Planck Institute, analyzed 56,000 sun-like stars using NASA's Kepler telescope data. Further research and improved forecasts are required to fully understand and mitigate potential risks.

New research from the Max Planck Institute indicates that our sun might release superflares more frequently than previously estimated, potentially occurring once every century. These powerful solar events could have catastrophic impacts on modern technology, such as frying electronics, wiping data servers, and disrupting satellites.

The study used data from NASA’s Kepler telescope, examining over 56,000 sun-like stars and identifying 2,889 superflares from 2,527 stars between 2009-2013. This comprehensive approach overcame biases from previous studies by adopting a flare detection method that accounts for instrumental effects, leading to more accurate frequency projections.

Despite the alarming findings, it remains uncertain if our sun will indeed unleash a superflare soon. Differences exist, like some flaring stars being in binary systems, a condition not shared by our solo sun. Ongoing investigations and advanced monitoring, such as the future Vigil mission, are essential for assessing the true risk.